The Queen will be awarding members of the services throughout the UK with a medal pressed to celebrate her Golden Jubilee - the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Michael Mates: "Injustice must be put right"

The services to be honoured include the police, fire and ambulance services, the Coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Mountain Rescue Service.

But Mr Mates told the Commons at Prime Minister's Questions that, despite the strongest recommendations from the Ministry of Defence, the DCMS had refused to give medals to holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross.

The Hampshire East MP said: "There are only 27 living holders of these two highest awards for supreme valour - 14 holders of the Victoria Cross and 13 of civilian equivalent, the George Cross.

"To deny them their share in the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Queen, on whose behalf they have shown so much courage, is mean and petty-minded.

'Deprived'

"This injustice must be put right, and quickly."

To murmurs of approval from other MPs, Mr Mates asked Mr Blair to ensure "the bravest of the brave are not deprived of this honour they so richly deserve?"

Mr Blair responded: "I will look into it, although I give him no promises on it."